The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-11-26

over, had never had cause to doubt her
child's veracity, accepted it without a
murmur,
nYou are indeed blessed, my only one, =
she said as she clasped her to her breast.
Strive to retain the Fairy's gift.
All that morning Yuddi was intensiyely
happy, but at the hour of noon her father
came home to his meagre dinner. He,
too, saw the cloak, and was told its history.
But he scoffed at the tale, and accused poor
Yuddi of having found or stolen the cloak
and then attempting to deceive him. The
poor little girl was deeply wounded. Never
before had her word been mistrusted. On
telling the story the second time to one
who was unsympathetic, she began to real
ize how almost impossible it sounded. So,
later, when she went out wearing the cloak,
and some children crowded around her,
and asked where she got it, she unhappily
equiyocated. In an instant the dreadful
word 'falsifer," in the flaming letters of
tell-tale scarlet appeared upon her back.
Her companions ran from her screaming
with fear. Yuddi tore off the cloak, and
almost blinded with bitter tears rushed
home, and sobbed out her unayailing grief
to her mother as well as possible, who tried
to show the child that even if she had lost
the cloak, she had been taught lesson
which she ought never to forget.
Yuddi was, however, almost heartbrok-
en-, and it was only when her mother re
minded her that she still owed duty to
the Fairy, that she reused herself a little
from her sorrow. Il will keep my word
in that at least" she said 81 will go to
the good Rhasta, master, and offer it to
him." Without loss Of time she sought the
wise old man, told her story and offered
the cloak.
"My child" he said, as he took it, II
will try to wear it. But | am old and
know the world and men we'll To few it
can be given to b, absolutely truthful.
Come to me in the morning"
When Yuddi returned Rhasta was no
longer wearing the cloak.
II have lost it sooner than I expected,
my child. You know how poor | am and
hoWkfew pupils l have. Last night the
father of Rhum Cat came to me and asked
how his son vas getting on, ] thought to
myself, if | tell him how hopelessly stupid
Rhum Cat is, he will be taken away. l
did not tell the truth, and am punished,
for / have lost both cloak and pupil.
When the father saw the word upon my
back he said his son should come to me no
longer"
Again Yuddi resumed her quest for .
wearer of the cloak. Among others she
took it to famous lawyer "Child have
you come to mock me?" he cried. ~
could not keep it an hour, and do my best
for my clients. might keep it an hour
if were asleep, though l believe l some
times talk in my sleep, so even then |
couldn't be sure of it..
Once more the weary search began
Wise women, famous for herbs and medi-
cines, refused to try it. "Did / tell some
sick people the truth about themselves they
would surely die, when, IL bid them hope
there is possible chance for them. IF I
told others of what my medicines are made
they would loose faith in them. Take
away your cloak"
Day after day poor Yuddi continued the
task which she began to think was hope,
less. Many took the cloak who had not
wisdom enough to know that there was not
the remotest chance of their keeping it
even few minutes. Tradesmen lost it
through misrepresenting their goods; man
ufacturers, through selling adulterated ar
ticles and even an artist, who was famed
for seeking after ideal truth, through will.
fully attempting to improve no nature in
his landscape and by grossly tattering in his
portraits, likewise lost it.
At last the despairing Yuddi gained au-
dience with the wisest man in the land, the
Kings Chief Councillor. 'tYou must be
very young and innocent to come to me my
child" he said when she had told the rea-
sop of her visit. i'RnoW thatif | told the
truth to my Royal Master about some of
our foreign relations, or when he asks me
what his people think of him, should
need about hundred lives a year.
'sThen let me see the King" boldly
cried Yuddi; "he at least has none to
fear" ri
aYou think so child2 Well, will con-
trive you shall see him. But you have to
wait long time"
Yuddi answered that she did not care how
long. The cloak was becoming an intoler-
able burden to her, never long absent from
her sight, and it was in her mind night and
day, sleeping or waking.
She had need of all her patience, for
kings are not easily seen, especially by the
children of Ryots, as the Indian peasants
are called
When she was admitted to the great
presence she knelt, covered her face, and
was for time too frightened to speak.
The King finally succeeded in reassuring her
and she told her errand.
"And SO you think" said the monarch,
shat kings can be more truthful than other
people? You never made greater mis-
take. You are too young to understand
all the reasons why we are compelled to
falsify and deceive; but I will tell you one
or two: Sometimes have to meet neigh
boring sovereign who is jealous of me and
l of him-with whom, perhaps, have
been at war, and who has killed thousands
of my people yet have to call him my
loving brother | have to put up with
Ministers 1 detest, because the people de-
nland that they shall be in Office | have
to tell my subjects that know they will
cheerfully pay taxes and vote supplies when
1 feel the doing SO will make them suffer
terribly. Go, my child. Kings can speak
less truth than their poorest subjects:
On leaving the place Yuddi met an old,
old mana kind Of priest, or dervish, who
frequently preached to the people and in
the intervals of his preaching begged for
enough to keep him alive. Hewas clad in
the most wretched rags, and as 4uddi
passed. he asked for something to get food
and clothesi Immediately she offered him
the cloak, explaining upon what conditions
he could wear it. 8
II think | can keep it, my daughter.
! Come to me here tomorrow and see"